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Exercises Polynomials and factoring

Example 6.17 from Elementary Algebra, 6.2 Use Multiplication Properties of Exponents

Use Multiplication Properties of Exponents: example 6.17

Simplify: ⓐ ${(−5)}^{4}$ ⓑ $− 5^{4} .$

Work it out on paper first. Then open the solution one step at a time, and stop as soon as you can finish on your own.

Solution

ⓐ ${(−5)}^{4}$

Multiply four factors of $−5$ . $(−5) (−5) (−5) (−5)$

Simplify. $625$

ⓑ $− 5^{4}$

Multiply four factors of 5. $− (5 \cdot 5 \cdot 5 \cdot 5)$

Simplify. $−625$

Your turn

The book's Try It right after this example: same idea, new numbers. Only the answer is given.

Simplify: ⓐ ${(−3)}^{4}$ ⓑ $− 3^{4} .$

How did it go?

PreviousUse Multiplication Properties of Exponents: example 6.16 Next Use Multiplication Properties of Exponents: example 6.18

From Elementary Algebra (1st edition) by OpenStax (Rice University), section 6.2, licensed under CC BY 4.0. Original at openstax.org. We split the solution into steps; the words, numbers and figures are the book's. OpenStax doesn't endorse this site.